Seventh Grader Hones Leadership Skills Through Fuel Up

School looked different last year than ever before, but that didn’t stop students from using Fuel Up to improve their lives and communities. Seventh grader Samyuktha even started a leadership club this year as a result of her work with Fuel Up.

“Leadership club branched out from the Fuel Up club and now has become its own club,” Samyuktha explains. “This is where we go deeper into leadership so we can use it in Fuel Up and our lives as well.”

Samyuktha has been part of the Fuel Up program since 2018 and has worked to improve her school and the wellness of fellow students in many ways.

“My favorite accomplishment has been changing the Styrofoam lunch trays to fiber ones in my school so that we could be more eco-friendly,” she says.

She also worked to organize a yoga night with her Program Advisor, Mrs. Markano. Over 100 people signed up and attended before the pandemic.

“Mrs. Markano always starts off our meetings with a smile and a positive attitude,” Samyuktha says. “She shares her passion for yoga and fitness with us and has supported all my endeavors by being willing to reach out, make connections, and most of all: make it happen.”

And Samyuktha has big plans for when school opens back up. “We will grow produce in our courtyard and donate it to local food banks,” she says. “We planned to do that at the beginning of the year, but since everything closed down, we were unable to.”

To students curious about the program, Samyuktha says, “Fuel Up is a great program with young leaders who want to make a change so that we can have a stronger and healthier future. It can give you the tools, confidence and guidance you need to make a change too.”